Bradley rated among best colleges

Wednesday

Jul 30, 2008 at 12:01 AMJul 30, 2008 at 4:49 PM

Students boasted Bradley’s classes as "the perfect size," providing "the variety and opportunities of a large school with the personal interaction that only a small university can offer," The Princeton Review’s Best 368 Colleges noted in its 2009 edition.

Dave Haney

For at least the seventh year in a row, Bradley University was named among the 368 best colleges nationwide by a New York-based education service that looked at school-reported data but also relied largely on student opinion.

Students boasted Bradley’s classes as "the perfect size," providing "the variety and opportunities of a large school with the personal interaction that only a small university can offer," The Princeton Review’s Best 368 Colleges noted in its 2009 edition, which hit bookshelves this week.

The guide, now in its 17th year, rated Bradley on academics, admissions and financial aid a 70, 77 and 73 respectively, each out of 99 possible points. The Princeton Review does not rank each school, one to 368, individually; rather, it tallies ranking lists in 62 categories.

"We at The Princeton Review think that Bradley is an academically excellent school and that it would not be in our Best 368 Colleges book if we didn’t think so," said Rebecca Lessem, senior editor of the Best 368 colleges. "Only about 14 percent of four-year colleges are chosen."

But despite some of the flattery students offered Bradley, the private college was ranked fourth in the book under a category titled, "This is a library?," and seventh in a classification called, "Election? What election? (students least politically active.)"

The Princeton Review, also known for its SAT and ACT preparation programs, used some 120,000 student surveys to help determine results.

Tom Richmond, Bradley’s director of admissions, marketing and communications, said the book offers a good first glance at colleges but buyers should be beware.

"It’s in the words of students instead of the institution, so we appreciate being recognized and yes, it’s a good guide, but it’s also bit superficial," Richmond said. "I think it offers some insight that could save you a trip (to visit a college campus) if you see a lot of what you’re looking for."

The caution, Richmond said, is that one quote in the book may be only one student’s experience and perhaps not shared or experienced by others.

Lessem said the rankings book is designed to give potential students a better glimpse of what campus life might be like or what to expect from a school academically before they choose a college to attend. Other data in the book includes cost, student demographics, student-teacher ratio and admissions information.

"Bradley continues to be a regional school, with the vast majority of students originating from Illinois. It would undoubtedly love to broaden its geographic demographics, so the school presents an opportunity for out-of-staters seeking to attend an excellent university without having to endure a grueling admissions process," the rankings book stated.

About campus life, students noted, "For many at Bradley, ‘social life is focused on fraternities and sororities, but these groups are far more open here than at other places.’ While drinking plays a big role in the campus social life … students can find sober social opportunities if they want them. … Students give hometown Peoria middling grades, warning that ‘if you go very far from the Bradley streets, you’ll find yourself in a tough neighborhood.’"

Also mentioned in the rankings book, Knox College in Galesburg was ranked 9th for "best college radio station," 16th under "students happy with financial aid" and 17th "best college theater."

Dave Haney can be reached at (309) 686-3181 or dhaney@pjstar.com.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.